The Osun State Police Command has clarified reports surrounding the firing of tear gas in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, saying the incident resulted from the negligence of an officer who was attempting to ease himself.
The command made the clarification in a statement posted on its X platform on Saturday, following reports and videos circulating on social media alleging that police officers fired tear gas at voters to disrupt voting.
According to the command, the incident did not occur at any polling unit but at a Registration Area Centre (RAC), where an officer posted for election duty allegedly discharged his tear gas canister accidentally.
“The incident did not take place at any polling unit. It occurred at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) and was the result of negligence on the part of an officer who was attempting to ease himself,” the command said.
The police described the officer’s conduct as “highly condemnable” and said it fell below the standard expected of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
It said the officer had been immediately apprehended, while a thorough investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether there were any other motives behind the action.
The command also dismissed claims that the incident was intended to prevent eligible voters from exercising their franchise.
“For the avoidance of doubt, police officers on election duty are not permitted to bear arms within a specified radius of polling units. Claims that the incident was intended to prevent eligible voters from exercising their franchise are therefore false and misleading,” it said.
The command apologised to law-abiding citizens and election stakeholders who may have been affected or inconvenienced by the incident.
It assured residents that the officer involved would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.
The command further reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the ongoing Osun governorship election remains free, fair, credible, peaceful and inclusive.
